Matthew Casey/KJZZ
In its upcoming budget, the city of Phoenix plans to funnel $15 million into expanding its fire-department-housed program, add staff and get them a new partner for behavioral and mental health care.
Melissa Ziervogel was at the wheel of a red, 15-passenger van when a quick trio of beeps came out of the radio.
“Alright we are dispatched out,” said the crisis response supervisor.
Right now the Phoenix Fire Department has four of those vehicles. But when and how they’re used is complicated.
“There may be times that we only have one van in service to cover the entire Valley,” she said.
Many are shocked but relieved. Author: Niala Charles Updated: 10:22 PM MST April 20, 2021
PHOENIX 12 News sat down with Pastor Betty Mcgee, community organizer Jacob Raiford, attorney Benjamin Taylor, and former Phoenix assistant police chief Andy Anderson to discuss the historic Derek Chauvin verdict.
All of them agree that change is still needed, but have different thoughts on how to move forward.
As a part of social justice groups W.E. Rising Project and NOCAP, Raiford believes that a new response group should be formed, separate from the police department, to respond to non-violent calls instead of officers.
McGee wants to see police departments, city, and state leadership to acknowledge the bias people of color face when met with officers.
W.E. Rising Project calls for change in police culture at Phoenix City Hall
W.E. Rising Project holds rally in downtown Phoenix
The release of body camera video in a Chicago case comes at a time when racial tensions around the country are high. Now a group in Phoenix is calling for widespread change in police culture.
PHOENIX - Officer involved shootings are a very emotional issue across the country, especially for people of color. And here locally, one group wants to bring awareness to their alternative policing proposal.
NOCAP Phoenix stands for neighborhood organized crisis assistance. The proposal is to create a separate crisis response unit dispatched first for non-violent and non-criminal calls.
More than 75 people gathered in downtown Phoenix on Thursday evening to protest recent police killings across the country and call for police reform.
Organizer Jacob Raiford spoke to the gathering, invited attendees to speak and led a small march around the Phoenix City Council chambers. No law enforcement officers were present, although a drone sometimes hovered overhead. We’re here to talk about the next step in terms of addressing disproportionate treatment against the Black and brown community and the police culture, Raiford told The Arizona Republic before the event began. It’s getting people in a specific place, having that dialogue, creating that energy and channeling that momentum toward . change.